Value Scale

These players will provide immediate production
and have excellent long-term potential.

Upside Free Agents

Could emerge as every-week contributors in 1-2
weeks.

Long-Shot Free Agents

Could emerge as every-week contributors in 3-4
weeks.

Wait-and-See Free Agents

They have the potential to repeat their breakout
performance, but hold off on acquiring them for now.

One Week Wonders

Others may be singing their praise, but don’t
buy into the hype.

Elite Free Agents

Marty Booker, WR, Bears
Upcoming Opponents: MIN, WAS, @KC
One of last week’s top recommendations, Booker
finally had a breakout performance against the rival
Packers Sunday. He caught five passes for 115 yards and
a touchdown. If he’s still available in your league,
acquire him and start him this week against the Vikings.

Boo Williams, TE, Saints
Upcoming Opponents: NYG, @JAC, DAL
Another previous recommendation, Williams continues to
impress. He caught four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown
Sunday and deserves starting consideration in leagues
that use a tight end.

Robert Ferguson, WR, Packers
Upcoming Opponents: @SD, @OAK, DEN
While Javon Walker has been Green Bay’s primary
pass catcher in recent weeks, Robert Ferguson has also
emerged as a frequent receiving target. Acquire Ferguson
this week for your playoff run or toilet bowl. In Sunday’s
game against the Bears, he led the team with seven receptions
for 79 yards. Next week the Packers travel to sunny Southern
California to face the Chargers. The warm weather should
help Brett Favre’s get a better grip on the ball
and San Diego’s weak defense should help him find
Ferguson open across the middle of the field.

Thomas Jones, RB, Buccaneers
Upcoming Opponents: HOU, ATL, @TEN
Jones was recommended here a few weeks ago after a 134-yard
performance against the Packers. Since that game he’s
scored a couple touchdowns but has only played a minor
role in Tampa’s offense. However, with the season
on the line, Jon Gruden made Jones the focal point of
his offense Sunday. Jones responded, carrying the ball
20 times for 89 yards and adding a couple receptions.
Grab him this week for your playoff run and certainly
don’t be afraid to use him against a Texans defense
that gave up more than 200 yards to rushing to Fred Taylor
and Labrandon Toefield Sunday.

Jamel White, RB, Browns
Upcoming Opponents: @DEN, BAL, @CIN
White was a decent fantasy player for part of the 2002
season. But after a poor 2003 preseason, he found himself
behind William Green and James Jackson on the depth chart.
With Green in doobie rehab and Jackson hurt, White stepped
into the feature role Monday night and delivered. He
looked good running the ball and even better catching
passes out of the backfield. Depending on the nature
and severity of Jackson’s injury, White could be
a nice surprise during your fantasy playoffs. Although
he plays tough defenses the rest of the way, don’t
be surprised if he goes for 90-100 total yards per game
due to his receiving abilities.

Ryan Longwell, PK, Packers
Upcoming Opponents: @SD, @OAK, DEN
Looking for a kicker for the stretch run? Consider Longwell.
The Green Bay kicker connected on four field goals Sunday
and faces some favorable matchups in the next two weeks.
He’ll travel to warm weather San Diego in Week
15 and Oakland in Week 16. I expect a minimum of 7-8
points in each game. If your current kicker hasn’t
been providing that level of production, go ahead and
grab Longwell.

Upside Free Agents

Erik Bickerstaff, RB, Cowboys
Upcoming Opponents: @WAS, NYG, @NO
With every Cowboys loss, you can just sense that Bill
Parcells’ blood pressure climbs a few points. At
the same time, you can sense that Troy Hambrick’s
grasp on the starting job continues to slip. Hambrick
had a decent game Sunday against the Eagles, but Parcells
also utilized the services of rookie Erik Bickerstaff.
Bickerstaff is an unknown player who was academically
ineligible for most of his time in college. He carried
the ball nine times for 41 yards in his first game, 4.6
yards per carry. If you’re relying on Hambrick
during the playoffs or if you play in a dynasty/keeper
league, go ahead and grab Bickerstaff.

Dante Hall, WR, Chiefs
Upcoming Opponents: DET, @MIN, CHI
Hall has been relatively quiet as a kick return specialist
for the entire second half of the season, but he made
an impact on offense this week for Dick Vermiel’s
Chiefs. Quarterback Trent Green threw the ball to Hall’s
way 15 times, completing 11 passes for 124 yards. I had
been leaning toward putting Hall in the One-Week Wonder
category, but the fact that he had 17 offensive opportunities
(including two runs) Sunday indicates the coaching staff
wants to put the ball in his hands. If you’re in
a playoff game this week, he probably can’t be
trusted at this point. However, if he has a strong showing
against Detroit on Sunday, he could be a nice sleeper
against Minnesota in Week 16.

Jed Weaver, TE, 49ers
Upcoming Opponents: @CIN, @PHI, SEA
Everyone was catching passes for the 49ers during Sunday’s
50-14 destruction of the Cardinals, even the tight end.
Weaver grabbed four receptions for 76 yards. If only
Arizona could be on the schedule every week.